Bertie Carvel, one of this country’s most acclaimed actors — his roles have ranged from Nick Clegg to Rupert Murdoch to the philandering former husband of TV’s Doctor Foster — is to portray Tony Blair in The Crown.
In its fifth season, due out in November next year, the Netflix drama will tackle two of the biggest events in recent UK history — the death of the Princess of Wales; and how Britain went to war in Iraq, following 9/11.
Carvel, 44 years old, has to play this role because he is able to disappear into his characters with a chameleon-esque ability.
Peter Morgan, the Crown’s creative director, has drafted a script that explores Diana’s tragic death in a Paris car accident in August 1997. This happened three months after Blair was elected No. 10 in a landslide win.
Bertie Carvel (left), one of the country’s most acclaimed actors is set to play Tony Blair in The Crown. Pictured right: Prime Minister Blair speaks after Princess Diana’s death in 1997
Morgan has made it clear that the episode will not depict the actual crash. It will, however, explore a different angle than the one shown in 2006’s film The Queen. This film starred Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen as Blair.
It is a big role for Carvel, 44 years old (pictured as Nick Clegg of Coalition), who has an uncanny, chameleonesque ability to disappear in his characters
The film, which was also directed by Stephen Frears and written by Morgan, shows Blair at odds with the Palace regarding how to handle the Princess’s death.
Blair referred to Diana, “The People’s Prince”, as Blair did. However, the Queen considered her death a private matter. She wasn’t prepared for the national outpourings from the public.
The Crown wants to investigate more of the constitutional crisis that occurred behind the scenes. It is also interested in how the Queen was allegedly bullied by her Prime Minister into making public statements about Diana.
An executive from the production said, “We don’t want the same route as the movie.”
“There are aspects of the conflict between the Queen and Blair that have not been airbrushed yet. It’s being so sensitively handled because of Diana’s sons — and the Queen . . . Charles. It is controversial to even make it. We have to then show it.
The executive pointed out the high calibre of the A list cast. Imelda Staunton is the Queen. Dominic West plays Charles. Elizabeth Debicki as Diana. Jonathan Pryce plays the Duke of Edinburgh. Now Carvel is set to replace Blair (his deal with the Duke of Edinburgh is almost done).
The Crown’s creative team has a draft script by Peter Morgan that examines Diana’s death in a Paris car accident in August 1997. Pictured: Elizabeth Debicki playing Diana, Princess of Wales, in the fifth season.
Imelda Staunton plays the Queen, while Dominic West (pictured as Charles) is another member of the A-list cast.
“These actors can convey as much information with one glance as with a page of dialogue. They are sensitive and know how to do it.
Carvel is an amazing man. He won an Olivier award for his hammer tossing headmistress in Matilda. It was a triumphant performance for the Royal Shakespeare Company (and the late Andre Ptaszynski, the beloved executive producer). The play is still being performed at Cambridge Theatre.
(Though I did note that Netflix insisted upon casting ‘a real lady’ for the film version. Emma Thompson was offered the part, but Ralph Fiennes had been offered it earlier.
Old Vic Gilliam and Python Gilliam have a fairytale ending
Stephen Sondheim is fuming at the Old Vic’s decision to cancel a production of his dark fairy tale Into The Woods. The theatre’s executives refused to work with Terry Gilliam, the Monty Python legend.
One group at the theatre refused engagement with Gilliam, stating that they didn’t want work with ‘old white men’ like him. They were referring back to remarks he made in an interview regarding Harvey Weinstein, former movie boss, as well as the women who accused him sexually assaulting.
Gilliam stated that Harvey’s life is filled with many victims and that he feels sympathy for them. But, Hollywood is full adult ambitious people who make choices and are able to make them.
Stephen Sondheim (pictured), the flamboyant composer, is fuming at the Old Vic’s decision to cancel a production of his dark fairy tale Into The Woods. The theatre’s executives refused to work with Terry Gilliam, the Monty Python legend.
This column revealed that Gilliam would direct the musical by Sondheim, James Lapine and more than a year later in March 2021.
When I asked for details, the theatre’s response was hostile. It appears they didn’t want the show to be performed. Gilliam is certainly not the one to blame.
On Wednesday evening, cast members who had signed contracts to begin rehearsals in January — the show was due to open in April, and had already sold roughly £500,000 worth of tickets — were told the Old Vic and co-producers Scenario Two (the theatre company that has the London first-class rights to Into The Woods) had ‘mutually’ agreed not to continue with the production.
Scenario is trying to find a theatre for the musical. Gilliam is still going to direct it, with Leah Hausman choreographing.
John Berry, ex-leader of the English National Opera, and Scenario partner, stated that his view was straightforward. “I have to put effort into finding a new theater. He reiterated his mantra that the decision to withdraw Into The Woods from The Old Vic was’mutually agreed’.
A faction at the theatre refused to engage with Gilliam (pictured in 2021), saying they didn’t want to work with ‘old white men like him’ after comments he made in an interview about former movie boss Harvey Weinstein
I wondered: Who is the big bad Wolf here? Executives and board members at Old Vic were uneasy and uncomfortable with Gilliam’s views. Berry replied, referring specifically to Matthew Warchus, who is the theatre’s acclaimed artistic director.
However, Warchus Gilliam, Gilliam, Old Vic executives, and PR people didn’t respond to messages seeking comment. One Old Vic trustee told me that everyone at South Bank theatre had been emailed, and was instructed to keep quiet about the matter. When I inquired about the mood of the venue, I received the following reply: “Well, we have a Christmas Carol coming.” People love that.
Sondheim, however has made it clear that he is not happy. Sondheim, a 91 year-old musical theatre legend, is said to be upset and angry.
Yesterday at 1pm, ticket-holders received an email with the news. Meanwhile, the Old Vic appears to be lost in a forest.
You can get my Drift and you’ll find a music gem!
I was dropped off at Newcastle station by the King’s Cross train. I am now in a Saturday Night At The Movies type mood, sitting in the centre of the stalls in the Frank Matcham-designed auditorium at the Theatre Royal.
That’s because I’ve been watching The Drifters Girl, starring an incandescent Beverley Knight and her four extraordinary leading men — Adam J. Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud. Five of the most exciting roles this year.
Top five: I watched The Drifters Girl, starring Beverley Knight and four other extraordinary men. Pictured: Callender, Wanogho–Maud (Knight), Henry, and Bernard
By the end, the entire audience was on its feet,and I knew I’d just watched a musical of the calibre I’d normally rave about from Broadway, but here I was way — howay! — north of Watford.
Knight portrays Faye Treadwell. This is her portrayal. As she sat backstage between her cast mates and spoke, she said, “She galvanizes them to be the best that they can be.”
The four men perform countless roles in the show — the many Drifters replacements over the years, showgirls (with feather boas); racist white cops. Matt Henry plays Bruce Forsyth at one point. He does. Wanogho Maud stated, “We’re constantly being told there’s not enough black talent, so it’s necessary for them to come from America.” It’s right there.
I predict that The Drifters Girl would rekindle Saturday Night vibes every single day.
Previews at London’s Garrick Theatre beginning next Thursday
Andrew Garfield is one of the most memorable film performances of the year in Lin Manuel Miranda’s excellent film adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical book, tick, tick. . . BOOM!
Andrew Garfield is one of the most memorable film performances of the year in Lin Manuel Miranda’s excellent film adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical book, tick, tick. . . BOOM!
Larson is most well-known as the composer of Rent. Miranda has written a fascinating biography about Larson’s determination to create a hit show by the age of 30.
He died at the age of 35, before Rent or tick tick opened.
This amazing movie will be in cinemas November 12, and will stream on Netflix November 19.